After 50 years of failed negotiations in Cyprus, Lord Balfe calls on the United Kingdom to put things right.
There are several steps the British government could take to end the isolation of Turkish Cypriots which could in turn end the impasse on the island.
The ghost town of Maraş was reopened in 2020 by TRNC President Tatar. Known for its past as an A-list celebrity hotspot, the town is now being eyed as the Dubai of the eastern Mediterranean.
After decades of abandonment, the TRNC has bold and ambitious plans to bring the seaside town back to its former glory. Over a million tourists have already visited the town – proving its incredible potential.
Both Sides in Cyprus must remain level-headed and respectful of one another to prevent a costly mistake that could turn the island into the new Gaza. Speaking to The Telegraph’s Nick Squires, who was visiting the TRNC, President Ersin Tatar outlined why he believes efforts to reunify the island are a ‘waste of time’, and explained how recognition from more countries can and will come slowly but surely.
The British Residents’ Society also gave their opinions on the continued stalemate in negotiations on the future of the island, with one commenting “you can’t keep flogging a dead horse.”
When Maraş was reopened by President Tatar in 2021, it was brimming with potential. In just three years, the town has seen an exponential tourism boom – attracting over half a million visitors in just two years. The town has the potential to become the new Dubai of the eastern Mediterranean that benefits the economies of both the North and South of the island.
Baroness Mobarik visited the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in February 2024. During her time there she saw the wealth of tourism and business opportunities the country offers the UK. She heard plans for Maraş to be restored as a world-leading tourist destination, and listened to the entrepreneurial spirit of Turkish Cypriot small business owners and the Chamber of Commerce (KTTO).
She says that the UK should seize the opportunities that the TRNC offers and recognise the two State solution on Cyprus to preserve peace and economically benefit both North and South.
Sammy Wilson MP visited the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in January 2024. Following that visit, he returned to the UK with a full understanding of the injustice Turkish Cypriots face on a daily basis – from a lack of direct flights and trade, to banning from international sporting tournaments.
Turkish Cypriots are Commonwealth citizens and the UK has an obligation to defend their interests. Currently, this is not the case, and the way to win them equality on the world stage would be through recognition of a two State solution in Cyprus.
In November 2023, a series of Turkish Cypriot community groups wrote to Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, to ask him to take a more active approach in tackling Islamophobia against Turkish Cypriot muslims. Starmer referred the group to Shadow Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, who refused a meeting citing his busy schedule.
As we face a general election this year, the Labour Party must realise that for decades Turkish Cypriots have formed a key voting bloc in their electoral coalition. Without them, they will be unable to win many seats in London and the surrounding counties.
The snub by the Shadow Foreign Secretary is a snub of 300,000 Turkish Cypriots living in the UK and highlights that cherry-picking instances of Islamophobia is real and a serious concern to many marginalised Muslim groups.
The UK formerly had a sensible approach to bilateral ties with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Not any more.
Forcing passengers to disembark one aircraft and board another in Türkiye is a cruel and arbitrary measure, especially given the historic ties between the country and the UK.
To continue in this approach would be hypocritical of the British government – especially given it did not reject Kosovo or Bosnia when they declared their independence.
Direct trade and flights is in Britain’s national interest. To not seize this opportunity gives Iran, China, Russia an open goal.
The reality on Cyprus is one of two States. For 60 years, Turkish Cypriots have governed themselves. Each year the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus proves itself to be more and more of a state worthy of recognition. However, whilst 60 years of stalemate may suit the administration in Southern Cyprus, the UK must chart a path towards a mutually acceptable solution.
As a guarantor power of Cyprus, Britain’s foreign policy must be to recognise the independence of the TRNC so that this frozen conflict can finally end, and both Sides of the island can begin cooperating meaningfully on a range of initiatives that will benefit both communities, the region, and Britain.
Due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the danger of frozen conflicts is more apparent than ever. The West must no longer ignore these unresolved issues as instability seems to inevitably lead to violence.
That is why the UK government must recognise the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and end the Cyprus issue conclusively.
Not only has the solution worked in places such as Ireland, but the Turkish Cypriot government would be a reliable and secure partner for the UK.